According to the most recent archaeological findings, the bronze inscriptions (金文) preceded oracle bone script (甲骨文) by at least 100 years. It would mean, that bronze inscriptions appeared during the last years of the Xia dynasty (夏朝, 2070 - 1600), the first historically verified dynasty of China.

Bronze inscriptions were in official use for hundreds of years, throught Shang (商朝, 1600 – 1046 B.C.E.) and Zhou (周朝, 1046 – 256 B.C.E.) dynasties. Most of the texts were written in a clay, prior to casting on bronze items (bells, vessels, etc.). This script was mostly of an ornamental nature, whereas oracle bone script had more of an official use (for rituals, recording state events, etc)

This pictured calligraphy is one of my poems, translated into Chinese (translation by Yuki Mori / 森由季), written in brozne inscriptions. Below, you will find both English and Chinese versions.

Body is our temple Life is a prayer Will is our power Desire is a weakness Mind is our freedom Future is a memory Love is our child Born to be wild

身體是聖殿 生命是祈禱 意志是動力 慾望是弱點 心靈是自由 未來是記憶 心愛是孩子 天生的野性

You may view this calligraphy in larger format in a gallery on this site, here.